Sole for footwear



G. suPPLE SOLE FOR FOOTWEAR Filed Feb. '7, 1946 v 'Kwf May 4, 1948.

\{IIIIIIII/llll Patented May 4, 1948 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE SOLE FOR FOOTWEAR Gilbert Supple, Waban, Mass. `Application February 7, 1946, Serial No. 646,115

This invention pertains to footwear and more especially to a novel multi-ply sole element. In my Patent No. 2,381,937, dated August 14, 1945, I have disclosed a shoe sole element of a highly desirable construction comprising a body portion of a normally substantially rigid material, for instance wood, so modified (as by the provision of transverse incisions) as to make it flexible lengthwise of the shoe while preserving its transverse rigidity, and having assembled with the body portion a marginal strip or welt of relatively flexible material which not only constitutes a re- "inforce for the body portion, counteracting any tendency to crack during iie'xing, but also providing suitable means for the reception of sewing stitches, staples or the like by `means of which the sole element may be united to other portions of the shoe, V i

Shoes madein accordance with the disclosure of said patent are unique in respect to the fact that they possess a highdegree of longitudinal flexibility coupled with transverse rigidity. Such shoes are of especial value for orthopedic purposes, since they offer a transversely iniiexible support for the foot, thus opposing pronation and promoting toe-to-heel walking. Not only are such shoes very acceptable for remedial purposes, but they are also desirable for use by workers in certain trades, for example in dye houses, tanneries, chemical works, etc., and also for sportswear, for instance as golfing shoes, by reason of their flexibility, heat-insulating qualities, and moisture-resistance.

The patent suggests wood for the body of the sole element. However, it is not always easy to obtain natural wood in pieces of large extent, and free from knots, cracks, or other defects, and thus it would seem that plywood would constitute a better material than natural wood, by reason of its uniformity and availability in sheets of large area. If three-ply plywood were to be employed, the grain of the middle ply should obviously extend lengthwise of the shoe, the incisions being formed in the outer plies, but when the sole element is thus constructed, the central ply being very thin, tends to crack and produce a grating vibration when the shoe is worn. Five-ply plywood is ordinarily too thick for the purpose.

One object of the present invention is to provide a sole element, constituting an improvement over that disclosed in my prior patent, but having all of the advantages of the sole therein described, as well as others, from the standpoint of shoe construction, but which may be made more easily, cheaply and with more uniform results than if 15 Claims. (Cl. 36-30) made of a single piece of natural wood, A further object is to provide a sole element of plied construction, very flexible longitudinally but rigid transversely, and which is even more resistant to penetration by moisture than sole elements made of natural wood. A further object is to provide a sole element which is transversely rigid and including means for uniting it to other parts of the shoe, and incorporating Within its substance a tough, flexible attaching element to which the other shoe parts may be directly or indirectly secured as desired. A further object is to provide a sole element which, while iiexible longitudinally and rigid transversely, does not tend to squeak or generate grating vibrations when. flexed during use. A further object is to provide a 'sole element useful either as an outer sole; an inner sole; a sock lining; or a cushion, middle or platform sole, as may be desired. Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the following more -detailed description and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig, 1 is a bottom view, with a portion broken away, illustrating one embodiment of the sole element of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig, 1;

Fig. 3EL is a View similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating a modification;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse diagrammatic section through a shoe of Goodyear-welt type in which a sole element like that of' Figs. 2 and 3 constitutes the outer sole;

Fig, 5 is a fragmentary transverse diagrammatic section through a shoe of the McKay type in which the sole element of the present invention constitutes the inner sole;

Fig. 6 is a section generally similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating a sole element of modifiedl construction;

Fig. '7 is a section similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating a further modification; and

Fig. 8 is a section, similar toFig. trating a further modification.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l designates a sole element embodying the present in- 6, but illusj vention. This sole element, as illustrated, com` prises a mid-ply 2 and upper and lower plies 3 and 4, the several plies being permanently united, for example, by a suitable adhesive. While both upper and lower plies such as 3 and 4 will usually be employed, it is contemplated that the sole element may consist of but two plies, one of these plies having the characteristics of the ply 2 hereinafter more fully described, and the other having the characteristics of one of the plies 3 or 4, as hereafter described.

The ply 2 is of a material which is flexible both transversely and longitudinally of the sole element; should be readily penetrable by a sewing needle; and should be tough and strong so as to retain sewing stitches without readily tearing out. Close woven textile material, for example, cotton. duck, is desirable fort'he purpose,V although other textile materials or thin leather may be employed. Preferably, although not necessarily, this ply 2 is of waterproof or at least' moisture-resistant character. textile fabric, if such be employed, may be frictioned with rubber or impregnated witlrasuit-l able asphaltic compound, oxidized:.oilforaplastiecized synthetic resin. Instead of a textile f abn ric, sheeted synthetic resin having thedesiredflexibility may be employed, and such resin may befreinforcedin-any suitable: way, for example byfthe. inclusion offibrous-material, either or.'- ga-nefor inorganic. Furthermoreflexible; sheet material I consisting... of unspun, unwoven, textile or; other,l bers, either synthetiefor natural or ot a. mixture of variousmaterialsewherelnithe bers are united l and integrated byv a-. suitable bind-ing. medium; =may -be employed.. Theeselected-ymate rial.v tonforrn.r the ply"2 may be 'cut'. -toithe proper, shapetanddimensions, for instance by-the-em-- ploymentnr a .die such. as. iseustoma-rily usediniV cnttingyleatheror. fabric-for making. sli'ne-parts'` "llhefpl-iesf 3; and; deareof. such material; anch-so. constructed. and.; arranged that while.,- theyv are; quiteeflexib-lef-longitudinally; enthlt vsole element... they' are substantially; rigid: transverselyA olif the; solefeleinent. Wood veneer: with. ther-grain run ningxtransverselyof the sole element,..makesfan= aeceptableamaterial for the pliesaz'and V1l. I'fwood veneer: bef. employed for this:` purpose.4 it. is4

trans verselyz` incised or slitted, :as: shown. at-v` 5: and hat; a: plurality; of points. longitudinally. of vthe sole element, so as partially or completely toedi viderthe: respective/plies- 3` and? 4r intofa. series ottransversely extending: ribs- Sii-and: 8; 'respecef tively. As illustrated-,1theyincisions;ffandsl exa tend completely through.. the;- thickness 'of each yof the pliesa3gand4t respectively, although it is withthe' scope oi tlieinvention; to have these incisions extend but part way throughthefrespec'- tilzespiies.: Preferably thepiies: fand d rare.4 united toihaipyi Zfzby means-.of suit'ablaadhesive;` forex-,- amplega rubber; compound. or; a thermoplasticz or thermosettingresin; beoretlfre;incisions;Stand;l 1- are made, care;v beingV takenrinzmaking :the ,incisions: the plyl Ziris; notfcut ande thereby' weakened.

While wood veneer is desirablmforxmaklngithei pliessB a'ndtlother; materi'alsfmay. be employed, for'. example theA ribs; iffarrdl 8 mayz biesentirely separate strips or splints of wood whichzareiass sembled.; in'. parallel. relation. and, adhesively united to the ply 2uwltlr.suncientspacefbetweenf adacentiedges oftheribs .fto,.-permit .longitudinal any other;suitableamaterialf which; isesubstantiallyffrigidibut reasonably'.n light iin` weight-,1 maybe use'difor; instance strips. of sheet rnetal embossedik lor fribb'ed as tof providefthe desired. transel rigiditywithout undue'. Weight.. When: woodiveneer; or :wood: strips ares employed,1ltheyz For instance., the

may, if desired, be impregnated or coated with a suitable waterproof substance, for instance an asphaltio or bituminous impregnant, a fluid synthetic resin, or an oxidizable oil. Whatever the material chosen the plies 3 and l should be substantially rigid transversely of the sole element, but their constituent rib-like elements 6 and 8 are so united to the longitudinally flexible ply 2 that the latter forms a hinge connection between thefrib members;- 6 of theA upper ply andthe rib members 8 of the lower ply, so that while the sole element as a whole is substantially rigid transversely, it is flexible longitudinally.

Preferably the ply 2 extends outwardly beyond the edges of the upper and lower plies 3 and! 4, toiorm the welting or attaching strip 9 which. is.. designed.V to receive elements, for instance sewing stitches, staples or the like, for securing; .the sole element I to other parts of the shoe. Preferably, as illustrated in Fig. 3, strips I0 and IIA, of suitable. materiaL. for instance leather, textile.l fabric., paper board, or a` plastic, are'.r associated with the lattaching strip.v 9 Vso -as to build. the latter upto va 4thickness equaling the thickness of the. ribs` 6.of the upper ply 31of-the soleelement.. Inasimilar-way, if desi-redaddi.- tional strips I2l and I3\` (Fig.v 3a), may lee-secured. tofthefstrip 9, so .assto .make the ymarginal por-l tion-fof.v the soleA element of; the. same thickness as thecentral portieril of thesole: element, tha-t is: towsay, arthickness equalingvthe thickness-of the combined plies 2, 3', andoa; Thestrips/I1);,I-I;- l2 and t3, should-.be oafu a-fmaterialwhich; mayloeL penetratedzby a I sewing-needle "and: they may be secured together andV tothe strip; 9. ,bye adhesive;l by sta-ples or.- stitches,Y as preferred'. Instead of; afplurality of stripsA It and H, a singlestrip; (Fig. 7) of proper thickness may be employed, if, preferred- In the modi-fled construction-illustrated in -l.ig. 6, th'e-Inid-plyV Iconsists ofanintegrali-mass ofa= plastic material, for instance rubber;y syn-I thetic rubber; or. a synthetic.'resin, and has thickVV marginal portions |6-.which.denef shallow central-oavitiesabove and below the ply l5! fonthef prisesthe upperU; .the nnensole' S; and` thetweltr- Wa'. Then-sole elem-ent ofthe present inventi'onli's` united to the: welt W by stitches I9.; passing thev sole: .elementrcomprisingi the; ribs 3f; being: ex

posedi and..obnstitutingethertread :surfacef of .thee

outerxsole;v

In-,Figz thesole -zelementtoltlieipresent:invemtionzrisishown:v as''constitinzing:4 the einner sole? off ai shoe.z of McKay typea This shoe comprises the upper llvwhiclr :is united; to the marginal? portionoi" thensole felementiof the present".` invention, by

stitchesI ZSrwhich in. this instance. :arealso' 'shown'v as4 extending. through the. outer. soles-21', so asto un-iilertire latter: to :the inner sole and upper.

InrEig; '7- a further modification isillustrated wherein theply221doesnotiextendhout to the edgesfy ofthezplies .3: and iithuslle aving a'.marginaltclan-v` nel which receives a tongue 21 integral with a welt strip 28 of leather or the like, the body of the welt strip being substantially flush at its upper side with the upper surface of the ply 3. Preferably the marginal portion of the ply 4 is beveled at 28 and the body of the welt at its under side is ilush with the outer edge of the ply 4. This beveling of the ply 4 facilitates the attachment of an outer sole.

In Fig. 8 there is a single ply 2X of wood or equivalent stiff material slitted transversely to Amake it flexible lengthwise of the sole element, this ply being completely embedded in a body I'la of flexible water-impervious material, for instance rubber or synthetic resin, which forms upper and lower plies between which the ply 2x is arranged, this body Ilsv of material also comprising the integral marginal portions I6l for the reception of fastener elements.

The sole element of the present invention has herein been illustrated as employed in the making of various types of shoe, but it is to be understood that it is not limited in its utility to the particular use herein specifically suggested, but is of broad utility in the manufacture of footwear of any desired type, and in which it may be employed to take the place of any of the usual sole elements employed in footwear manufacture.

I claim:

l. A sole element for use in footwear, said sole element comprising a ply of a material which is iiexible both longitudinally and transversely of the sole element, and at least one ply which is relatively iiexible lengthwise of the sole element but which is relatively rigid transversely thereof, the first-named ply having an integral extension projecting beyond the edge of the other ply to constitute an attaching strip by means of which the sole element may be secured to other parts of a shoe.

2. A sole element for use in footwear, said sole element comprising a mid-ply of a material which is flexible in all directions, and upper and lower plies each flexible longitudinally of the sole element but which are substantially rigid transversely of the sole element, and means uniting the several plies.

3. A sole element for use in footwear, said sole element comprising a mid-ply of tough flexible material, and upper and lower plies each flexible lengthwise of the sole element but substantially rigid transversely of the sole element, the midply extending outwardly beyond the margins of the upper and lower plies to constitute an attaching strip, and means permanently uniting the several plies.

4. A sole element for use in footwear, said sole element comprising a ply of strong textile material and at least one ply of wood, the latter ply having transversely extending lines of weakness thereby to permit it to flex readily in a longitudinal direction, but being stiff transversely of the sole element, the textile ply projecting beyond the edge of the wood ply to provide an attaching strip, and means permanently uniting said plies.

5. A sole element for use in footwear, said sole element comprising a mid-ply of textile material which is flexible in all directions, and upper and lower plies of wood, each of `the upper and lower plies having transversely extending incisions thereby making said plies flexible longitudinally of the sole element, said wood plies being substantially rigid transversely of the sole element, and means permanently uniting the several plies.

6. A multi-ply sole element for use in footwear,

a thickness substantially equaling the latter ply,

superimposed upon said projecting marginal portion ofthe first ply and united to the latter.

7. A multi-ply sole element for use in footwear, said sole element comprising a relatively thin ply ,of tough material, readily penetrable by a sewing needle and which is flexible both longitudinally and transversely of the sole element, and at least one ply comprising a series of ribs each substan tially rigid transversely of the sole element, and means uniting each rib to the rst ply, the ribs being relatively movable whereby said second ply is iiexible longitudinally of the sole element, and a marginal attaching strip of a material which is readily penetrable by a sewing needle and a por tion at least of which is in the plane of said first named ply.

8. A sole element for use in footwear, said sole element comprising upper and lower plies each consisting of a series of transversely extending ribs, each substantially rigid transversely of the sole element but which are relatively movable, and a ply of material which is flexible both longitudinally and transversely 0f the sole element and which is attached to each of said ribs thereby constituting hinge means uniting the ribs, the marginal portion of said flexible ply extending beyond the ends of the ribs to constitute an attaching strip.

9. A sole element for use in footwear, said sole element comprising upper and lower plies each consisting of a series of transversely extending ribs, each substantially rigid transversely of the sole element, but which are relatively movable, and a ply of material which is iiexible both longitudinally and transversely of the sole element, and which is attached to each of said ribs thereby constituting hinge means uniting the ribs, the sole element having a marginal attaching strip which is of the full thickness of the sole element,

a portion at least of said marginal attaching strip being integral with the flexible ply.

10. A sole element for use in footwear, said sole element comprising upper and lower plies each consisting of a series of transversely extending ribs, each substantially rigid transversely of the sole element but which are relatively movable, and a ply of material which is flexible both longitudinally and transversely of the sole element, and which is attached to each of said ribs thereby constituting hinge means uniting the ribs, the sole element having a marginal attaching strip which is of the fullthickness of the sole element and which forms an integral extension of the exible ply.

1l. A sole element for use in footwear, said sole element comprising a mid-ply of a material which is flexible both longitudinally and transversely of the sole element, said ply having a marginal rim which is thicker than its central portion thereby providing shallow cavities in its upper and lower surfaces, and a series of transversely extending ribs disposed in each of said cavities, each rib being of a thickness equaling the depth of the cavity inwhich it is disposed, and being substantially rigid transversely of the sole element, each. rib

beingfadhesivelyyunitedsto. said. mid-ply, the latter:f mmistfitrit-ingrhinge meansflexibly;y uniting the severa-l:n ribs; wherebythe-soleelementis permitted-tozflexvloneitudinally:A

. 1.2. Asolelelementfor use irl-footwear; said sole elementicomprising.'` ar mid-,plyof textile. fabric, andixuppen' and.lower pliesof; wood veneer, and eaeliiwood;l r?ly .flf1avng4 aplurality of; transverse incisionsisuch-,as-to make tlleply` flexible longitudinally'ioftthe. soley element, and adhesive uniting., theseveral1 plies; the textile plyY projecting outwardly,4 beyond the :edges of the veneer plies, andystrips f of. material', unitedto. saidprojecting pontiorrrotlie textile ply thereby. to. provide the sole element with-margins of aftl'iiekness,` equalingi; the combined. thickness. of. itsfseveral. constituent plies.

13;. Asole element for. use infootwear., said sole element.; comprising` a mid-ply of textile-fabric, and; upper and. lower plies of Wood veneer the woodtplies. havingfthe grain of .thewood extending. transversely. of. the, sole element,` andA each woodi plyr havinga plurality. of transverse incisions suchfasftomake the ply exible longtudinelly/fof: theA sole-element. and-adhesive unitingthe several plies, the textile ply projectingoutwardlyfbeyond@ the t edgess-A'offthe-veneer; plQSaRnd'- plysaid material being-of a thicknessequaling thefwoodveneer plies.

14. A sole elementfor usein footwearfcomprisiing `anintermediate` thin strong` and i:IlexblefgplyA disposed between two outer transversely. stii but; longitudinally flexible plies, the intermediate.1213il being of less super-cial area than the: outer plies thereby. providing a channel between the;,ma.1, ginsoi`v thelatterand .a flexible Weltjstrip having# a bodyportion approximating the thieknessofI the combined plies and having-t a tongue-which; `nts withinv saidmarginal channel, and; means uniting the several plies andthe-welt striign^ 15..- A sole element for usein footwear, said sole'v element. comprising at least one` ply off iexilolef material, another ply comprising a. series of transversely rigid ribs, and a flexible, marginal attaching-strip,V said: strip. being integral f with saidexible plyv which extends throughout the; entire width of thefsoleI and on one f-aceof` Whichare secured said' ribs, said iiexible ply constituting; hinge means. flexibly uniting the*y ribs,v 

